After Maharashtra, Rajasthan bans meat sale for 3 days

JAIPUR/MUMBAI: After Maharashtra, a ban on sale of meat and fish has been ordered in Rajasthan for three days this month in view of Jain festivals even as the row over such a directive continued in Mumbai where ruling BJP's ally Shiv Sena and opposition MNS hit the streets to protest.

Meanwhile, a controversy erupted in Jammu and Kashmir after the High Court there ordered ban on sale of beef, triggering angry reactions by locals and organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami.

While a row continued over the eight-day meat ban in Mumbai and some other parts of Maharashtra, Rajasthan government ordered ban on sale of meat and fish on September 17, 18 and 27 on account of festivals, including that of Jains.

In a circular issued to all municipal bodies, the state government has asked meat shop vendors to close their shops and stop sale of meat and fish on September 17 in view of Jain community's 'Paryushan' (Jain fasting) festival, on September 18 on account of 'Sanvatsari' (another Jain festival), and September 27 on 'Anant Chaturdashi', an official said.

This order will also be applicable to slaughter houses, he said.

The Rajasthan government directive came even as wrangling over the ban on sale of meat by Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) during the Jain fasting period 'Paryushan' spilled onto the streets today with Shiv Sena and MNS setting up stalls to sell meat in defiance of the order.

While the ruling BJP has defended the ban, its ally Shiv Sena as well as opposition MNS and Congress and the NCP have vehemently opposed it, alleging the move was aimed at polarising voters and appease a section of society before the crucial MCGM polls in early 2017.

Shiv Sena workers tore the civic body notices declaring the ban on meat for four days in Mumbai on September 10, 13, 17 and 18, when members of Jain community observe fast.

The Raj Thackeray-led MNS set up a stall in busy Dadar to sell chicken meat as a symbolic protest.

A similar ban has also been imposed by the neighbouring Mira-Bhayander and Navi Mumbai municipal corporations.

Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray said his party would ensure that there was no ban on sale of meat.